Instructor Class Description

Topics in Asian Cultures

Introduces the traditional arts, cultures, and history of countries of Asia. Emphasizes the interaction between culture and geography, politics, economies, and social structures that shape, and are shaped by cultural processes and products. Specific countries varies with the instructor and quarter offered. Offered: WSp.

Class description

This course offers an introduction to the historical and present-day concerns of communities living in the United States and formed by people from South Asia i.e. from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The course will give an overview of the histories and settlement patterns of these communities in the United States and perform a comparative analysis of their settlement patterns with those seen in other parts of the world. We will then examine the lived reality of South Asian Americans by focusing on the ways in which they have come together to form diverse communities and how race, gender, religion, nation, sexuality, and class have succeeded in dividing these communities from each other as well as from other ethnic groups.

Student learning goals

An overview of the histories and settlement patterns of South Asians in the United States

An insight into the histories and settlement patterns of South Asians in other parts of the world.

A critical awareness of the themes of identity, culture, diaspora, family, fashion and politicization of and within South Asian communities.

A critical insight into expressions of faith and politics in South Asian diasporic cultures.

An insight into representations of themes of identity, migration, home, gender, and politics in South Asian films and fiction.

The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Last Update by Alka Kurian
Date: 11/03/2011

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Modified:April 23, 2014